Water sports

Travel Guide To Florida

BRADENTON, ANNA MARIA ISLAND, LONGBOAT KEY

Wake up in your charming beachfront cottage and head to Ginny’s and Jane E’s to indulge in their famous crème brûlée French toast. Visit Pine Avenue, the heart of Anna Maria Island, and paint a sand dollar keepsake at the Shiny Fish Emporium. Rent a bicycle from Beach Bums and tour the island. Visit Coquina Beach, voted best “island sand” in the U.S. by Condé Nast. Enjoy a picture-perfect sunset and watch dolphins at play while dining at the Sandbar Restaurant.

FORT MYERS/SANIBEL

Begin your day even before sunrise to find the best sea shells along the beach at the 1884 Sanibel Lighthouse. Then find out why the USA Today newspaper ranked the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island tops for birdwatching. After a coconut shrimp spinach salad lunch at The Island Cow, be amazed at one of the U.S.’s most-visited historical homes, the Thomas Edison & Henry Ford Winter Estates in Fort Myers. Cap off your day with dinner at the exclusive Veranda restaurant or at Pinchers.

NAPLES/MARCO ISLAND

Take an early morning walk along Marco Island’s crescent-shaped white sand beach. Search for shells and birdwatch at Tigertail Beach on the island’s north end, a top spot on the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail. Book a sightseeing cruise on board Pure Florida’s Double Sunshine departing from Tin City on the Old Naples Waterfront. Enjoy a grouper sandwich and slice of key lime pie at Pinchers Crab Shack next to the docks at Tin City. Explore the Smith Children’s Garden and the Naples Botanical Garden.

SARASOTA

Start your day with a freshly brewed cup of coffee and pastries in downtown Sarasota before heading to Bayfront Island Park for a stroll alongside Sarasota Bay. Hop over to St. Armands Circle for retail therapy and lunch at al fresco dining spots. Then grab a paddle and kayak the mangrove tunnels on Lido Beach. Reserve your evening for a sunset on Siesta Beach, where the luxurious quartz-white sand is unmatched. Top off your day with cocktails and dinner at any of the delightful restaurants in Siesta Key Village.

Editorial Pages

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA:TOTAL IMMERSION

SOUTHEAST FLORIDA:TOTAL IMMERSION

lay, dine, shop and stay. From Key West to Miami and Fort Lauderdale up through The Palm Beaches, Florida’s Southeast coast offers an abundance of...

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA:DARING WILDERNESS, DAZZLING ARTS

SOUTHWEST FLORIDA:DARING WILDERNESS, DAZZLING ARTS

Southwest Florida goes to extremes when it comes to welcoming and engaging visitors. It balances wildlife-rich Everglades backcountry with the art of masters, beach abandon...

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA:CALLING ALL EXPLORERS

CENTRAL EAST FLORIDA:CALLING ALL EXPLORERS

Florida’s Central East region is a grab bag of amazement ranging from space travel to mangroves, and nearly 200 miles of stunning beaches in between....

CENTRAL FLORIDA:FLORIDA AT ITS BEST

CENTRAL FLORIDA:FLORIDA AT ITS BEST

There’s good reason why so many families love to spend their vacation time in Central Florida. World-class theme parks provide awe-inspiring fun for the entire...

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA:A CORNUCOPIA OF ENDLESS DELIGHTS

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA:A CORNUCOPIA OF ENDLESS DELIGHTS

The Sunshine State has something for everyone, and West Central Florida follows suit with its countless offerings: award-winning beaches; the thrills and spills of theme...

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA:SPRINGS AND SECRET EDENS

NORTH CENTRAL FLORIDA:SPRINGS AND SECRET EDENS

Travelers treasure rural, remote North Central Florida for its natural gifts including the celebrated Suwannee River, clearwater springs and such a diverse display of wild...

NORTHWEST FLORIDA:QUIET PLEASURES & SOUTHERN CHARM

NORTHWEST FLORIDA:QUIET PLEASURES & SOUTHERN CHARM

Welcome to the quiet side of Florida where you’ll find some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, all lapped by clear, emerald-green waters....

NORTHEAST FLORIDA:WHERE HISTORY AND PRESENT DAY MERGE

NORTHEAST FLORIDA:WHERE HISTORY AND PRESENT DAY MERGE

You won’t run out of things to do in Northeast Florida. You’ve got award-winning beaches, globally famous history, pristine parks, and a burgeoning food and...